Integrative assessment of coastal pollution: Development and evaluation of sediment quality criteria from chemical contamination and ecotoxicological data |
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Authors: | Juan Bellas Óscar NietoRicardo Beiras |
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Institution: | a Instituto Español de Oceanografía, Centro Oceanográfico de Vigo, Cabo Estai-Canido, 36200 Vigo, Galicia, Spain b Departamento de Química Analítica e Alimentaria, Universidade de Vigo, 36200 Vigo, Galicia, Spain c ECIMAT, Universidade de Vigo, Illa de Toralla s/n, 36331 Vigo, Galicia, Spain |
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Abstract: | Elutriate embryo-larval bioassays with sea-urchins (Paracentrotus lividus) were conducted concurrently with chemical analyses of sediments and biota as part of an integrative assessment of pollution in highly productive coastal regions. High metal contents and organic compounds in sediments and mussels were found in localised areas from the inner part of the estuaries indicating a clear anthropogenic influence. In particular, average maximum concentrations of 2803 mg Cu/kg dw, 776 mg Pb/kg dw, 2.5 mg Hg/kg dw and 5803 μg ∑7PAHs/kg dw were measured in sediments from the most polluted sites. Significant correlations were observed between sediment chemistry and toxicity bioassays. Moreover, the Mantel test revealed a significant correlation (rM=0.80; p<0.01) between sediment pollutant concentrations and toxicity data profiles. In addition, sediment quality criteria were used to help in the ecological interpretation of sediment chemistry data and to identify pollutants of concern. The toxicity bioassays identified polluted sites and quantified the level of toxicity, providing a cost-effective tool to complement the routine chemical monitoring currently conducted in European coastal waters with ecologically relevant information. This is in line with the recent European legislation that advocates the use of biological tools with the ultimate aim of protecting marine resources from anthropogenic substances that will affect their sensitive early life stages. |
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Keywords: | Sediment toxicity Elutriate Paracentrotus lividus Embryo-larval bioassay Sediment quality criteria |
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